What part of the federal budget matters most to you?

$1.1 trillion.

That's the 2012 U.S. federal budget deficit -- the difference between how much our government spent over the past year and how much it took in -- announced earlier this month by the Congressional Budget Office.

Whoever wins the White House this fall will have to work with Congress to figure out how to reduce the deficit. And that will require cutting expenses, increasing revenues, or some combination of the two.

The federal budget affects everyone in some way, but as we prepare to cover the political fight over the budget, reporters in Public Insight Network newsrooms want to know where it touches your life the most. If you were pleading your budget case to the next president and Congress, what personal stories would you tell about how the budget affects you, your family or your work? What services do you personally use and depend on? What taxes hit you the hardest?

Share your story below. Then take on the federal budget yourself: Play our game, Budget Hero, and see how the services you want or need will affect the rest of the budget.

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First Name *

Last Name *

E-mail *

City

State or Province

Postal Code *

Country

Phone

What one or two services in the federal budget that you use or depend on matter most to you?

How do the services you listed above matter in your life or your workplace? Personal stories are great. Concrete examples are great. (Complaints about candidates, parties or elected officials aren't as helpful.)

Just curious: What non election issues are on your mind these days? What are you talking with friends about, or doing for fun? What makes you happy?

May we publish your insights and attribute them to you? (Your comments may be edited for length or clarity.)

Yes
No
Contact me first

We have four more questions that help us better understand your perspective, and allow us to include people of a variety of backgrounds in our stories. You are not required to answer any of them.

What do you do for work?

In what year were you born?

What is your household income?

What political party, if any, do you identify with most closely?

If you chose "other" or "independent," please explain.

Your Information

By completing this form, you become part of American Public Media's Public Insight Network (PIN). American Public Media and any other PIN newsroom listed on this form may contact you for help with current and future news coverage.

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About the Public Insight Network

Founded in 2003, American Public Media's Public Insight Network is a platform for connecting trusted journalists with knowledgeable sources and for fostering journalistic excellence, innovation and collaboration. Learn more »

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